Rioters convicted of engaging in street disturbances in Northern Ireland could face up to a year in jail under new legislation being drafted by the British government.
Northern Ireland Office Minister Des Browne said today that many people still view riotous behaviour as "an insignificant crime bordering on the socially unacceptable" rather than the criminal.
" This tougher penalty, and the new arrest power, demonstrates that behaving in this way will not be tolerated by this government, the police or the public."
Changes to the legislation are being introduced as the security forces brace themselves for a fresh onslaught of sectarian street disorder in parts of Belfast and Derry this summer.
Dozens of police officers have been injured during past clashes with nationalist and loyalist youths.
Fighting between rival Protestant and Catholic factions along the sectarian peacelines has also caused hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage.
But Mr Browne insisted the authorities were not prepared to tolerate another campaign of almost nightly rioting.
"No one should have any doubts as to the consequences of indulging in this violent activity," he warned. "The police will arrest rioters on the spot and the offenders will face a lengthy prison sentence."